Texas Rangers’ ace Jacob deGrom prepares for a crucial divisional showdown with the Houston Astros.
Jacob deGrom gave the Texas Rangers another strong performance on Tuesday night in an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
The veteran right-hander worked five innings and needed 80 pitches to get through them. He allowed two runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked two.
His night likely would have lasted longer.
Instead, the Rangers decided not to push their ace after he began dealing with a nagging issue during the game.
Manager Skip Schumaker revealed afterward that deGrom was pitching through what he described as a left “hip/leg thing.” The team chose to remove him after five innings rather than risk making the problem worse.
DeGrom said the discomfort first appeared between starts.
Normally, the sensation fades before his next outing.
This time, it did not.
He felt it while warming up before Tuesday’s game and shortened his routine before taking the mound.
Even then, he had no intention of sitting out.
DeGrom wanted to give the Rangers as many innings as possible.
The discomfort gradually increased as the game progressed.
By the end of the fifth inning, both he and the coaching staff agreed it was the right time to call it a night.
“This week, it kind of lingered,” deGrom told MLB.com. “... After the fifth, it was tightening up and we decided, ‘This is probably enough.’”
Despite the issue, deGrom does not expect it to affect his next outing.
He said the Rangers will continue treating it during the week.
He also explained that off days occasionally leave him feeling different physically, but he expects everything to settle down before his next turn.
“I think I’ll be fine,” deGrom said. “I think we’ll manage in between. Honestly, I think sometimes off-days make you feel a little funny. I think we’ll stay on top of it this week, and I think I’ll be good to go.”
That next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Houston Astros at home.
That is welcome news for Texas.
DeGrom’s dominance at home
DeGrom has been at his best at Globe Life Field this year. He is 4-1 with 2.51 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 46.2 innings over eight home starts this season. He’s recorded 59 strikeouts against 10 walks in those outings.
Those numbers help explain why the Rangers did not want to take unnecessary risks on Tuesday.
Keeping deGrom healthy is far more important than squeezing out another inning in early July.
If everything goes according to plan this week, Texas should have its ace available for another important division matchup.
DeGrom’s success comes from far more than elite velocity. He constantly changes the way he attacks hitters, making every at-bat feel different. His fastball establishes the zone, but his slider and changeup keep hitters from ever getting comfortable.
He is equally effective changing eye levels and moving the ball to both sides of the plate, allowing him to create weak contact even when he is not chasing strikeouts. Another strength is his feel for the game.
He quickly recognizes when hitters are making adjustments and responds by changing his pitch mix or location.
That combination of command, sequencing, and in-game awareness has defined his career. It remains the foundation of why he continues to rank among MLB’s most difficult pitchers to face.
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